County Sheriff’s dispatchers, deputies honored with Siren Team Award for rescuing Orinda boy

Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff dispatchers and deputy sheriffs were among those who were recognized with the Siren Team Award at the recent EMS Survivor’s Reunion in Walnut Creek. The event reunites individuals who experienced a near-fatal incident with the public safety and medical personnel who played a significant role in their survival. These personnel include 9-1-1 dispatchers, law enforcement officers, fire fighters, EMTs, paramedics, and hospital emergency department staff. The reunion celebrates the gift of life and recognizes the amazing men and women who protect it.

The incident they were honored for involved Darren Grisham, a six-year-old Orinda boy who was trapped under a vehicle after he was accidentally run over by his father, Gabriel. It happened on June 20, 2017 and Gabriel called 9-1-1, according to other news reports.

An Office of the Sheriff dispatcher took the call, sent help to the scene, and kept the parents calm. Orinda police officers were first on scene. Firefighters from the Contra Costa County Consolidated Fire Protection District (CON Fire) arrived and lifted the car off the boy. Paramedics treated the boy who was taken to Children’s Hospital Oakland by ambulance.

The boy suffered several broken bones and injuries to his head and neck. He was released from the hospital just four days later.

This was truly a team effort among the Office of the Sheriff, CON Fire, AMR, and Children’s Hospital Oakland that resulted in a successful outcome.